(Senator Bill) Nelson: Obama should take over spill fix if BP fails Wednesday

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

President Barack Obama should take over oil-spill cleanup efforts if the problem isn't fixed by BP on Wednesday, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said this morning.

Nelson, whose home state of Florida stands to be severely affected by the massive ongoing spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said that the federal government should take control of operations from BP, which is attempting a "top kill" maneuver to halt the flow of oil.

"If this thing is not fixed today, I think the president doesn't have any choice and he better go in, completely take over, perhaps with the military in charge, not because the military can do this, but the military has the apparatus, the organization by which it can bring together the civilian agencies of government and to get this thing done," Nelson said Wednesday morning during an appearance on CNN.

The Obama administration has been under pressure to do more - possibly even remove BP from the process - with critics charging that the oil company has been given too much leeway in organizing the response to and cleanup of the spill. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar suggested over the weekend that the administration could push BP aside if its response wasn't adequate.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/99931-nelson-obama-should-take-over-spill-fix-if-bp-fails-wednesday

[dipsydoodle]

1. He must be unaware

that your Department of Defence is already effectively in charge - links elsewhere on DU.

Perhaps he should go back to sleep.

[Hulk]

2. This is a sad, sad story.

I just have a hard time believing the federal government is going to know how to effectively turn off this mess more than a mile under water.

BP needs to be horse whipped and sent packing after they have paid ALL the bills related to this blunder....even if it means running their asses out of business for good.

[AllyCat]

3. Well, maybe we can at least look a bit further for a solution. But either way

BP should pay the ENTIRE bill for this mess. Out of business? Too bad, so sad...maybe then other corps would think twice about screwing everyone for their bottom line.

[Javaman]

4. right, because then, the repukes can blame Obama from that point forward for it not being fixed.

coming soon new repuke talking point: Now that Obama has taken control of trying to fix the oil leak, blame him for everything regardless if he's responsible for whatever or not.

BP should follow this to the bitter end.

On a side note: it will be amusing if Obama does take this over. How will the libertarian nuts square this will their concept of less government control? LOL Watch as they try to spin that away.

[Dr.Phool]

5. I don't often agree with my Senator, but I do this time.

[ProSense]

6. Nelson's comment highlights the problem

"If this thing is not fixed today, I think the president doesn't have any choice and he better go in, completely take over, perhaps with the military in charge, not because the military can do this, but the military has the apparatus, the organization by which it can bring together the civilian agencies of government and to get this thing done," Nelson said Wednesday morning during an appearance on CNN.

The problem is not marshalling civilian and government expertise. That has been done. The problem is stopping the gusher. That is BP's responsibility and they have the expertise.

Nelson is basically advocating a military takeover of the situation when the military has no expertise to solve the problem. That makes no sense.

[lark]

8. I see your point however

BP does not give much of a f*** about stopping the volcano, it just wants to capture the oil and all it's steps so far are in that direction. At least the government could focus like a laser on stopping it.

[MessiahRp]

9. +1

I agree with this. There needs to be a focus on first, plugging the geyser and second cleaning up the oil, not worrying about capturing it for use or whatever. The problem is BP seems to be addressing this in the "how do we not lose money" perspective when they need to be in the "Holy shit we're destroying the Earth, quick let's fix this!" perspective.

Rp

[groundloop]

7. And just exactly how much equipment and expertise does the govt. have in this area????

The sad fact is that we're at the mercy of the oil industry to plug that damned well, they've got the equipment and the people who know how to operate it. And seeing as how this disaster has gone on for over a month we should think long and hard before ever approving another offshore drilling rig.

[Lorien]

14. They've been offered equipment and expertise from other Nations like Denmark

and the UAE. They've turned them down. Don't fall for Reagan's cherished belief that "only corporations can solve problems." Obviously that hasn't been the case here.

[robinblue]

10. Nelson also called for heads to roll at the Minerals Management Service (MMS),

I wonder why the heads have not rolled by now?




Nelson also called for heads to roll at the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the government agency that regulates offshore drilling.

"I think the president is going to have to have Secretary Salazar clean house in the Minerals Management Service, which has had such a cozy, incestuous relationship with the oil industry," he said, "and basically let the oil industry rule the roost."

[blm]

16. BushInc has had oilbiz embeds in MMS for decades. Attacking Obama is deliberate distraction typical

of BushInc.

[leftynyc]

17. And Salazar has known about

the problem at least as long as 9 days after Pres Obama was inaugurated.

http://www.interior.gov/news/09_News_Releases/012909.html


Heads should have rolled by now and if they have, it should be reported on.

[dmosh42]

11. The biggest problem is they're(Obama) not telling us...

why there is such a problem sealing this hole. Why not explosives, etc. Why aren't there supertankers skimming the water now to remove the oil? Whatever they know is not getting out to educate the public if there are problems getting these fixes.

[droidamus2]

12. Not bad idea but...

I don't think Nelson is totally wrong but I have a big problem with the 'its Obama's problem' spin to his message. Damn it Nelson you are a US Senator why don't you and your cohorts get off your fat asses and become part of the solution. By that I mean more than saying 'well if BP can't fix it it is Obama's problem'. No it is our problem everyone of us and it should be attacked as 'our' problem. What I hear from Nelson is I want somebody to try and fix it but if it doesn't work I don't want my fingerprints on it. Okay Nelson how about at least this minimal support get your fellow Democrats, Independents and any few Republicans you can find in the House and Senate to sign on and pass a resolution supporting the Obama administration taking over control and urging all those that can help to volunteer their expertise.

[Lorien]

13. I doubt it will happen, but one can Hope. nt

[slackmaster]

15. Bill Nelson should STFU and let the technical experts handle stopping the flow

[BlueIris]

18. Kick. nt.